what you was goin' to say, wasn't you? I don't see as there's
much to be glad about."

"Don't you? Well, perhaps.... Run along, Daddy, run along."

She closed the door of her room. Daniel, much perplexed, departed on his
unpleasant errand.

His wife was eagerly awaiting him.

"Where's Gertie?" she demanded. "Isn't she coming?"

"She'll come by and by, Serena. She isn't quite dressed yet."

"What difference does that make? Why doesn't she come, herself? Didn't
you tell her I was dying to hear about the election? She must know I
am."

"She does; she knows that, Serena. But she thought--she thought I'd
better tell you first, myself."

Serena leaned forward to look at him. His expression alarmed her.

"Why don't you tell, then?" she asked. "Is it--oh, Daniel, it isn't bad
news, is it?"

"It ain't very good, Serena."

"You don't mean--why, you said that Annette was elected; you said so
last night."

"Yes--yes, she was elected, Serena; but--"

"But--but _I_ wasn't. Is that what you mean, Daniel?"

"Well now, Serena--"

"I wasn't. Yes, it is true, I can see it in your face. I was defeated.
Oh--oh, Daniel!"

Captain Dan put his arm about her.

"There! there! Serena," he said chokingly, "don't cry, don't. Don't
feel too bad about it. Politics is politics, inside Chapters and out,
I guess. I'm as much disappointed as you are, for your sake, but--but
don't care too much, will you? Don't make yourself sick again. Don't cry
no more than you can help."

Serena raised her head from his shoulder.

"I'm not crying," she said. "Really I'm not, Daniel. It is a relief to
me, in a way."

"A RELIEF?"

"Yes. If it had happened a month ago I should have felt it terribly. I
was crazy for office then. But lately I have dreaded it so. If I were
vice-president I should have so much care, so much responsibility. Now,
I shan't. The honor would have been great, I appreciate that. But, for
the rest of it, I don't really care."

"Don't CARE! My soul and body!"

"No, I don't. And now," bravely, "tell me all about it. I don't quite
see how Annette could win if I did not; but Miss Canby is popular, she
has a great many friends. I hope," wistfully, "I hope I got a good vote.
Did I, Daniel?"

Daniel's indignation burst forth.

"You didn't get any votes, Serena," he cried angrily.

"What? What? No votes? Why--"

"Not a blessed one. They put up a low-down political trick on you,
Serena. They left you out to save themselv